John f



(No Model.)

J. P. SHEPARD.

- WAGON BRAKE. No. 553,138, r v Patented Jan. 14, 1896.

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AN DRDN EGRAMAM. PHO'I'OUTHQWASKINGTON, DC

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN F. SHEPARD, OF JACKSON, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO STEPHEN H. CARROLLAND THOS. J. BIRNEY, OF SAME PLACE.

WAGON-BRAKE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 553,138, dated January14, 1896.

Application filed April 22, 1895. $eria1 No. 546,654. (No model.)

To all whom it may cancer Be it known that I, JOHN F. SHEPARD, a citizenof the United States, residing at Jackson, in the county of Jackson andState of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inVVagon-Brakes, of which the following is a specification, referencebeing had therein to the accompanying drawmgs.

The invention consists in the peculiar construction of the actuating orsetting mechanism for the brake designed to be used with or without aboX, and particularly in the construction of such mechanism whereby thesetting or holding ratchet is arranged upon the brake-beam.

The invention further consists in the peculiar construction, arrangementand combination of the various parts.

The invention is shown as applied in connection with brake-actuatingmechanism described in my patent No. 518,928, of April 24,-, 1894:.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of the rear wheels of awagon, showing my improvement applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a sideelevation of the attachment. Fig. 3 is a top plan view thereof withoutthe ratchet attachment. Fig. 4 is a vertical section through theratchet-lever and ratchet-plates.

Fig. 5 is a detached perspective View of the ratchet-plates. Fig. 6 isan elevation of a modified form of holding device on the brakebeam, andFig. 7 is a section through a portion of the brake-beam.

A represents the wheels, B the axle, and C the reach of a wagon of usualconstruction.

D is the brake-beam slidingly secured on the cross-bar E, havingguide-brackets E on its under side, engaging over the guide-flange E onthe cross-bar. This beam is provided with the usual brake-shoe F,adapted to bear upon the periphery of the wheel. Centrally of thebrake-beam is secured the draft-bar G, which at its rear end is providedon each side with rack-bars II. This bar is guided between the plates I,which are secured upon a cross-bar S near the rear end of the hounds.These plates are separated a sufficient distance to permit of theengagement between them of the lever J, which is pivoted at K leverage.

and at its inner end is provided with the notched segment L, adapted toengage with the rack on the draft-bar. These parts last described aresubstantially of the construc- To the rear of the lever N is secured aspring I Q, connected to any suitable stationary part of the wagonsuch,for instance, as the bolster.

The parts thus constructed and described are intended to be used asfollows: In mountainous countries, where such brakes are used infreighting over the mountains, the driver of the team usually rides thewheel-horse, and he is provided with a suitable rope R, which extendsfrom the upper end of the pole P. When it is desired to brake the wheelsthe driver leans forward and applies power through the rope and the poleto the lever N, which rocks the lever J and draws upon the brake-beamthrough the draft-bar G, the leverage being such that even a slight pullwill firmly set the brakes. It is evident that the lever may be operatedas well from the wagon box or from beside the wagon, if desired. Now incase it is desired to set the brakes when the box is off, I apply aholding device for the lever upon the brake-beam and connect this withthe brake-lever. The holding device I have shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 5 comprises a segmental notched or ratchet plate a, the complementary plateI) having a plain face, the lever c journaled at its lower endscentrally of these plates and provided at one side with a spring (Zadapted to bear against the face of the plate I) and on its oppositeside with a flange 6 adapted to engage in the teeth on theratchet-plate. This lever is connected with the brake-lever by means ofa link f. Now in the ordinary use of this device the brake may be set inthe manner described. \Vhen the pole P is used. or if the pole is notused the driver or other person walking beside the wagon can set thebrake by drawing forwardly upon the lever E which flange 6 from thenotched plate ct, when the spring Q will draw the brake-shoes free fromthe wheels.

Instead of the ratchet-plates and spring, as described, I may use otherholding devices for the brake-lever, such as the chain V, extending fromthe lever M and engaging a pin V on the brake-beam.

7 What I. claim as my invention is- 1. In a wagon brake, the combinationof the running gear of a wagon, the cross bar S, the. brake leverpivoted at the end thereof, the brake beam connection from that levercentrally to the beam, and connection from that lever to the end of thebrake beam, and means carried by the brake beam for holding the brakelever in its adjusted position, substantially as described.

2. In a wagon brake, the combination of the brake beam, a draft bar onthe wagon adapted todraw upon the brake beam, a vertical brake leveroperating said draft bar, and

a holding device on the brake beam for retaining the brake lever in itsadjusted position, comprising a vertical lever pivoted to the beam and aclutch mechanism for holding the same in different position,substantially as described.

3. In a wagon brake, the combination of the brake beam, a rigidcross-bar a draft bar on the wagon adapted to draw upon the brake beam,a vertical brake lever for operating said draft bar pivoted on saidcross-bar, a ratchet plate on the brake beam, a lever engaging saidplate, and a connection between the brake lever and said ratchet lever,substantially as described. I

4. In a wagon brake, the combination of the brake beam, at cross bar onthe hounds, a draft bar on said cross bar centrally connected to thebrake beam, a rack bar on the side of the draft bar, a toothed segmentat one end of an actuating lever, engaging said rack bar, a bracket atthe end of the cross bar and a brake lever pivoted to said bracket andwith which the end of the actuating lever engages, substantially asdescribed.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN F. SHEPARD. Witnesses:

M. B. ODOGHERTY, O. F. BARTHEL.

